I buy the charm packs to see all the fabric... I know the colors I like and don't have a LQS so I rely on them to see what I want to order online. I don't see it as a waste because they are great quality and my youngest daughter makes small quilts with some of them or I use them to try new blocks or for a small project. I just got the jelly roll and layer cake of cattails and clover by moda to do a bear claw quilt I would have spent alot more trying to get the variety buying fabric individually. Sometimes it's practical and sometimes not. I generally buy 1/2 yards and cut in half and you have two fat quarters and that is deff. cheaper for fat quarter projects. I do love variety tho I hand it to people who can buy one or two prints!!!